need a thrower (from dx) narrowed down to 3 choices ???

[MstrHnky]

well, my collection needs a thrower and i ordered this one from dx:
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.8672

however, i've tried ordering it twice over the past three months and by the time my order is processed, it's out of stock.

now, would you recommend i wait for this light to come back in stock, or go with one of the following options:

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.8537 same as the above, but uses two types of batteries (i've heard it's not as good as the 1x18650 only version)

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.6951 same as the first light, but a Q2 instead of a Q5.

so, wait for the 18650 only Q5, go for the 18650/cr123 Q5, or 18650 only Q2?

i don't have a lot of money to spend, so i want to get it from dx. just looking for a good, cheap thrower.

thanks for your advice!

 

[bspofford]

Go with Sku#8672 because it is a Q5 with an aluminum reflector, and most of the 18650 only lights are significantly brighter than the multivoltage models. The less expensive Q2 is bright, but it has a plastic reflector.

 

[Lobo]

I went through the same thing as you are, needed a good but not expencive thrower. After reading all the raving reviews about the WF-600, I settled for that. Then I saw that there was a Q5 out and absolutely had to have that. Only problem was that it never came in stock. And when it did, it got backordered in a couple of hours. Then I realised that I would hardly notice the difference from a Q2 to a Q5 anyway, and the 10USD difference actually mattered. I was still a bit bummed about the plastic vs alu-reflector, but decided to order the Q2 anyway. So my advice would be the Q2, since that was what I did and I havent regretted it yet.

And according to this thread, the Q5 seems to have a plastic reflector after all.
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=187834

 

[MstrHnky]

fter reading all the raving reviews about the WF-600, I settled for that. Then I saw that there was a Q5 out and absolutely had to have that. Only problem was that it never came in stock. And when it did, it got backordered in a couple of hours.

same thing with me. i ordered 8672 back in november, but it was changed to back ordered a few days after i ordered it, so i was refunded. then, just last week, the website said it was back in stock, but was notified today that it is back ordered again.

what are the differences between Q2 and Q5? run time doesn't bother me too much, i have rechargeable 18650's, and since this only takes one, i will always have a backup. what is the difference in lumens?

i'm still quite a novice, so i would probably not notice the difference. i will be adding it to a collection consisting of a jetbeam cl-e v2, surefire L1 (gen 5), lowes task force 2c Cree, and 3 C-cell mag light with the mag 3W LED drop in.

 

[Lobo]

I don't know exactly what the outputdifference would be, but IIRC from another thread, it would be around 10%-20%. I don't think it will be that noticable for the human eye, either way. And then there was this german quy(can't find the thread now, but do a search for WF-600 Q5), who swapped the Q2 on his WF600 and got LESS output. I think he suspected higher Vf on the Q5. Even though I read all that, it was still tempting to get the Q5, latest and greatest and all.

 

[MstrHnky]

I don't know exactly what the outputdifference would be, but IIRC from another thread, it would be around 10%-20%. I don't think it will be that noticable for the human eye, either way. And then there was this german quy(can't find the thread now, but do a search for WF-600 Q5), who swapped the Q2 on his WF600 and got LESS output. I think he suspected higher Vf on the Q5. Even though I read all that, it was still tempting to get the Q5, latest and greatest and all.

well, i have two tickets open at deal extreme "customer love" lol. i asked how many people are in front of me in line for the next batch of the 18650 Q5 version. if i am guaranteed one from the next batch, i'll probably just wait, even thought it might be up to two months.

i went outside last night, and my best thrower is my 3 C-cell mag with the 3w led swap. pretty pathetic, i know. i really want to get a milkyspit ML1 smoothie (or any milky upgrade) for my 5th gen surefire L1. i really don't like the beam pattern of the stock light. all throw, no spill and the beam is pattern is terrible. after i mod my surefire and get the wf-600, i am done purchasing flashlights... for at least a few weeks.

 

[layzieyez]

Why not this one?:
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.10301

Seems like a decent MRV clone. Use the search function and read ernsanada and self built's reviews for this light. It's why I ended up buying one.

 

[MstrHnky]

Why not this one?:
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.10301

Seems like a decent MRV clone. Use the search function and read ernsanada and self built's reviews for this light. It's why I ended up buying one.

ernsanada's reviews didn't have any pics... "bandwidth exceeded," and selfbuilt's review wasn't all that positive.

on the other hand, selfbuilt's review of the wf-600 Q2 was the reason i wanted to buy this light in the first place.

i could just get my $38 back from dx, and not mod my surefire L1 and save $85, put them together and buy a DBS... but then i wasted $50 on a surefire L1 that i wouldn't use in its stock form.

 

[MstrHnky]

i think i've made up my mind... but i think that a lot of times. :duh2:

i am going to cancel my order for the aurora wf-600 Q5 on dx and get my $38 back.

then i'm going to try and sell my surefire L1 gen 5 for ~$100 O.B.O (a friend got it for me from gander mountain for a good price about two weeks ago - it was their display model)

then i'm going to buy the Dereelight DBS v2 2-SD WC Q5 ($125)
http://www.cpfmarketplace.com/mp/showthread.php?t=173789

i like the idea of being able to upgrade with a new pill for ~$35 when the R5 is out, and not have to buy a new light... plus, the DBS is apparently a good thrower

what do you think of that "plan"?

 

[Omega Man]

I'm also in the same boat, looking to replace a 1million CP spotlight. I am waiting for the review from bessiebenny on the Aurora WF-600 Q5 2-Mode before pulling the trigger on anything.

 

[MstrHnky]

I'm also in the same boat, looking to replace a 1million CP spotlight. I am waiting for the review from bessiebenny on the Aurora WF-600 Q5 2-Mode before pulling the trigger on anything.

look here for selfbuilt's review of the wf-600 Q2
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=184280

it's very favorable for a $40 light. however, the Q5 version has been out of stock since november (they had a shipment in about a week ago, but that sold out within a day or two).

since i can get $40 back from my dx cancellation and then possibly $80-$100 for my surefire L1 gen 5, it's like getting a "free" DBS. i can't turn that down, knowing it's one of, if not THE best thrower available today. plus i can upgrade the pill down the road for less than the price of a WF-600 today.

 

[Lobo]

i think i've made up my mind... but i think that a lot of times. :duh2:

i am going to cancel my order for the aurora wf-600 Q5 on dx and get my $38 back.

then i'm going to try and sell my surefire L1 gen 5 for ~$100 O.B.O (a friend got it for me from gander mountain for a good price about two weeks ago - it was their display model)

then i'm going to buy the Dereelight DBS v2 2-SD WC Q5 ($125)
http://www.cpfmarketplace.com/mp/showthread.php?t=173789

i like the idea of being able to upgrade with a new pill for ~$35 when the R5 is out, and not have to buy a new light... plus, the DBS is apparently a good thrower

what do you think of that "plan"?

Sounds like an excellent plan. That's what I would have done if I had the dough. And as you mention, the upgrade ability on the Dereelights is very nice. Not to mention that the new black DBS looks really sweet.

 

[MstrHnky]

Sounds like an excellent plan. That's what I would have done if I had the dough. And as you mention, the upgrade ability on the Dereelights is very nice. Not to mention that the new black DBS looks really sweet.

that's the best part... with the money i will hopefully get from the surefire L1, it's not going to cost me a whole lot more.

 

[selfbuilt]

Glad you've found my reviews helpful.

FYI, my preliminary DBS V2 review is now up:
DBS V2 (with R2 Cree/ DI) Comparison Review

I really like the build of this new V2 so far - they've corrected all the issues I had noted with my original V1. But I'm afraid the R2 Cree + DI circuit still leaves a little to be desired in the throw department.

As for the Smartfire V-68C, it's true I have my concerns (i.e. I would hate for someone to fire up the light for the first time and fry their emitter!). But with some care and maintenance, it's not bad for the price. Incidentally, I've just updated that review with a source for o-rings for the glass/bezel.

Personally, I think you probably made the right choice - you are better off with a few good upgradeable lights (like the DBS V2).
:wave:

 

[MstrHnky]

Glad you've found my reviews helpful.

FYI, my preliminary DBS V2 review is now up:
DBS V2 (with R2 Cree/ DI) Comparison Review

I really like the build of this new V2 so far - they've corrected all the issues I had noted with my original V1. But I'm afraid the R2 Cree + DI circuit still leaves a little to be desired in the throw department.

Personally, I think you probably made the right choice - you are better off with a few good upgradeable lights (like the DBS V2).
:wave:

i am not interested in the R2 cree at this point, i don't like the yellow tint. i am going to stick with the WC Q5. i am getting the DBS V2.

i need to decide between the 2SD and 3SD. i think i am going to wait until they fix the "flickering" and "whining" issues they've had recently. WadeF has a few posts concerning this.
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=186756&highlight=dereelight+3sd&page=2

now i will probably have to get better batteries and a better charger than what i currently have. i don't think it would be a good idea using cheap 18650's in a $125 light!

i have the following:
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.6979
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.936

if you guys think these will be ok for my DBS, i can use them, if not, i will buy a charger and probably one battery from AW. maybe another batter down the road, if i get any more 18650 lights.

if you don't think i should use the above batteries and charger, they will be for sale, along with my gen 5 surefire L1... ($100 O.B.O for the L1)

 

[Nils]

Just for the AL vs. Plastic reflector thing:
I have the Aurora WF-800 and it has a PLASTIC reflector though it says Al on the website.

Would be interesting to know which lights on DX actually have an Al reflector.

 

[precisionworks]

don't know exactly what the output difference would be

Cree lists the Q2 at 87.4 lumens, the Q5 at 107 lumens, with both lamps driven at 350 ma. Twenty lumens is not a great difference, but it is noticeable when comparing two lights side-by-side. Reflector shape & size, voltage regulation circuit, etc., can also make a big difference.